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Expressive Physical Modeling of Keyboard Instruments: From Theory to Implementation

Physics-based algorithms for sound synthesis have been extensively studied in the past decades. Nevertheless, their use in commercial synthesizers is still limited due to the difficulty in achieving realistic and easily controllable sounds with current technology. In this Engineering Brief we present an overview of the models used in Physis Piano, a digital piano recently introduced in the market with dedicated physics-based algorithms for acoustic pianos, electric pianos (e.g., Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Clavinet), and chromatic percussions (e.g. vibraphone, marimba, xylophone). The synthesis algorithms, which are based on standard techniques such as Modal Synthesis and Digital Waveguides, have been highly customized in order to faithfully reproduce the sound features of the original instruments and are easily controllable by a set of meaningful, user-friendly parameters.

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